Salon holds fundraiser for eating disorders
By Rose Sgarlato
SPARTA — Who says blondes have more fun?
A Blue Hair Extension Fundraiser for the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) is in full swing at Mancuso Salon & Spa in Sparta.
Partnering with Miss North Jersey, Sparta’s own Ashley Terpak, the two beauty forces have come together to shine the light on NEDA during National Eating Disorder Week, which is Feb. 26 to Mar. 4.
Ashley, a 19- year-old from Lake Mohawk, won the title of Miss North Jersey last October and will be competing for Miss New Jersey in June.
In her role as Miss North Jersey, she had to choose a charitable platform to advocate for. Ashley chose NEDA because she was inspired by her friend Alex and wanted to tell her story.
“My friend Alex, who is also from Sparta, went through a bad eating disorder and has recovered from it,” Ashley said. “I speak for the voices that can’t be heard on their own to say that there is help with NEDA.”
Bulimia, anorexia, and body dysaphormia are considered eating disorders, according to NEDA.
On Saturday, Feb. 24, Mancuso held a kick-off event for Blue Hair Extension Week. Open to all ages, people can walk in to Mancuso's with no appointment necessary and purchase a blue hair extension for $10. All proceeds benefit NEDA.
A trained, dedicated professional will apply the hair extension, and the offer stands through Saturday, Mar. 3. If blue is not your fancy, donations for NEDA are also being accepted at the salon.
“ We wanted to do something different. Let’s make it fun for a good cause. The colors of NEDA are blue and green, so we thought blue hair extensions would be fun. People are excited, ” Ashley said.
Mancuso Salon and Ashley have raised over $600 so far
As an official partner of NEDA, Ashley has been spreading the message by making blue hair materials available to students at Sacred Heart University, where her twin sister attends college. Lois Ferguson, MA, LPC, owner of Sapphire Counseling, also participated in offering blue hair. From these other sources an additional $400 was raised.
Mancuso Salon & Spa is sponsoring Ashley on her journey to Miss New Jersey.
“We are so honored to be able to share in Ashley’s cause,” said Mary Mancuso, the salon owner. “We have watched this beautiful young girl grow up to become a beautiful young woman who is truly beautiful from the inside out. We wish Ashley all the best and know that she will go on to do great things.”
Ashley adds that she is thrilled by the support and generosity of the community and would like to give special thanks to the staff at Mancuso Salon for making this fundraiser such a success.
“This community is amazing. And the reason I am doing it is because with social media everyone is concerned with how they look, ” said Ashley. “Your size doesn’t define you. It’s who you are on the inside, not on the outside. You can get help. There are people who can help you.”
Terpak provided the following information:
If you think you or a loved one may be struggling with an eating disorder, NEDA's website has a three-minute online screening tool and a toll-free confidential hotline 1-800-931-2237.
#NEDAwareness <URL destination="http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org. ">www.nationaleatingdisorders.org.
</URL>You can also follow Ashley’s Facebook page Eating Disorder Awareness Miss North Jersey 2018 Ashley Terpak.
Mancuso Salon & Spa ,12 Woodport Road, Sparta. Tel. 973-726-6262 <URL destination="http://www.mancusosalon.com. ">www.mancusosalon.com.